Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category

Published: Ed Libby: The King of Design

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Editorial shoot published in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine Fall / Winter 2011

“You need air, water and someone to love you; everything else is an option,” concedes designer Ed Libby. Yet, this master of combining diverse and complex elements to create stunning installations is quick to insist that celebrations should be fully loaded. “Life is such a struggle on every level for everyone,” Libby says. Times of intense emotion, of togetherness, of rapturous joy “are far too brief” and infrequent. Celebrating these moments
“on a grand and spectacular level is incredibly important,” he contends. So, when his event designs leave guests agog and asking, “Why?” he invariably responds: “Why not?”

It’s the answer family members might have heard had they asked Libby why, as a child, he’d “make something out of the box,” and ignore the amazing present inside. “I was creating things from a young age. I was definitely born to do this,” Libby says. He wasn’t introduced to the events industry, however, until he took a job as a flower shop driver, while studying art and business. Now, 27 years after establishing his own floral design firm, Libby credits clients with catapulting his career. “Each client entrusted…

ed libby

Cheers to you good friend,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. This photo was taken at Ed Libby’s home in Hollywood Hills. It was only after a couple of martinis did we get the shot. What a fun afternoon!

New York Central Park

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

I was in New York for the 2010 Bridal Market and Wedding Style‘s book launch party at the Plaza Hotel. Just before meeting up with Yanni Tzoumas (Executive Editor), I decided to walk around Central Park.

I did not mean to, but I bought a scarf, tie and a hot dog from street vendors. What? I’m supporting the community. As odd as it was to have a hot dog for breakfast, I sat down and watched the birds harass the horses for a bit.

Out of courtesy, and because I was sitting down anyway, I took an HDR image of the horse carriages queued up for a trot.

new york horse carriage at central park

I ♥ NY…and I love it even more because I love “Sex and the City.”

xo,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. It was freezing in December, but I missed out on the snow. Sad day.

Sunset in Rome, Italy

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Yesterday, I was looking up various destinations for a potential holiday. While on Contiki’s website, I stumbled upon Europe and was reminded of a photo I wanted to enlarge for my wall.

I quickly sifted through my archives and found a sunset in Rome, Italy. I was walking along a bridge when this scenic view melted my heart. It was too bad that the couple I was photographing was not there. Otherwise, I would have loved to take advantage of the golden rays.

rome italy

One of my friends just photographed a wedding in Rome, Italy – with the colosseum, ruins, etc. I won’t deny it…I was a bit jealous. Anyway, until next time…

Ciao Bella,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I’m considering the Outback territory of Australia or an African safari…too bad I can’t just do both!

Week 3/52 – Cheat Day’s Ambrosia

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

I’m a big fan of Tim Ferriss and The 4-Hour Workweek. He recently wrote a new book The 4-Hour Body.

Per his guideline, we’re allowed one “cheat” day where we can eat anything we want.

I recommend Saturdays as your “Dieters Gone Wild” day. I am allowed to eat whatever I want on Saturdays, and I go out of my way to eat ice cream, Snickers, Take 5, and all of my other vices in excess. I make myself a little sick and don’t want to look at any of it for the rest of the week. Paradoxically, dramatically spiking caloric intake in this way once per week increases fat loss by ensuring that your metabolic rate (thyroid function, etc.) doesn’t downregulate from extended caloric restriction. That’s right: eating pure crap can help you lose fat. Welcome to Utopia. -Ferriss

Therefore, now allowed to eat bread or any other white carbs, I opted for just that. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like King’s Hawaiian Bread. Combining it with my other loves – burger and tater tots – make a Cheat Day’s ambrosia.

kings hawaiian bread burger

kings hawaiian bread burger

Add a glass of Cabernet and a good movie – divine.

Happy week three,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I just got these new balloon wine glasses because I felt my other ones were too boring. They photograph well :)

P.P.S. To clear my conscious, I added one spinach leaf to the burger.

Small Milestones

Friday, January 14th, 2011

I woke up this morning to a bright and beautiful Friday morning. I don’t have a structured M-F schedule, but I revel in the fact that it’s Friday. TGIF. Or what some of my friends like to call it, “TGIFF.” Wedge a f#cken in the middle and it’s more victorious.

It’s okay, you can say it out loud. If you’re at work, whisper it.

Anyway, I’ve been sick the entire week. It’s been gross. No one should have been around me. However, I’m good again! And the fact that today’s a Friday, it’s doubly good, which is an adequate reason for a celebration.

So, this morning I got dressed and drove to my neighborhood bakery and got a thick dark chocolate cake. Just FYI, calories don’t count on Fridays (or Saturdays, Sundays and sometimes Wednesdays). To pair this perfection, I brewed myself a double shot espresso.

Dive.

cake and espresso

Having to eat porridge and other non-phlegm-inducing foods for five days, this slice was… for a lack of a better term… orgasmic in comparison.

Cheers to FOOD and being HEALTHY!

Celebrating small milestones,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I just had a flashback of when I was in Switzerland. I think I bought half of a suitcase worth of chocolate. Best…souvenirs…ever. Didn’t last long though, but I have photos reminding me of the good times.